The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation eBook

“At least,” she added suddenly, “you
know all that’s really important. As Ebers’
affair was in the City, we warned the City police and
left things with them. I think that’s all.
Except, of course, Mr. Marshall Allerdyke, that we
formally claim the reward for which you’re responsible.
And—­equally of course—­that Mr.
Rayner and I will hand over her jewels in the course
of this afternoon to the Princess. Miss Lennard’s
property, I should say, you’ll find hidden away
on Schmall’s premises. Yes—­that’s
all.”

“Except this,” said the chief quietly.
He unwrapped the newspaper in which he had carried
his small parcel and revealed its contents to Miss
Slade. “The jewels, you see, Miss Slade,
are here. It has been my painful duty to visit
your hotel, and to possess myself of them. Sorry
but—­”

Miss Slade gave one glance of astonishment at the
chief and his exhibit; then she laughed in his face.

“Don’t apologize, and don’t trouble
yourself!” she said suavely. “But
you’re a bit off it, all the same. Those
are some paste things which Mr. Rayner got together
for me in case it came to being obliged to exhibit
some to the crooks. You don’t think, really,
that I was going to run any risks with the genuine
articles? Sakes—­they’re all right!
They’re deposited, snug and safe, at my bankers,
and if you’ll get a cab, we’ll drive there
and get them!”

CHAPTER XXXIV

MERRIFIELD EXPLAINS

Late that afternoon Marshall Allerdyke and Fullaway,
responding to an urgent telephone call, went to New
Scotland Yard, and were presently ushered into the
presence of the great man who had been so much in
evidence that day. The great man was as self-possessed,
as suave, and as calmly cheerful as ever. And
on the desk in front of him he had two small and neatly
made up parcels, tied and sealed in obviously official
fashion.

“So we seem to have come to the end of this
affair, gentlemen,” he observed as he waved
his visitors to chairs on either side of him.
“Except, of course, for the unpleasant consequences
which must necessarily result to the men we caught
to-day. However, there will be no consequences—­of
that sort—­for one of them. Schmall
has—­escaped us!”

“Got away!” exclaimed Fullaway. “Great
Scott you don’t mean that!”

“Schmall committed suicide this afternoon,”
replied the chief calmly. “Clever man—­in
his own line, which was a very bad line. He was
searched most narrowly and carefully, so I’ve
come to the conclusion that he carried some of his
subtle poison in his mouth—­the hollow tooth
dodge, no doubt. Anyway, he’s dead—­they
found him dead in his cell. It’s a pity—­for
he richly deserved hanging. At least, according
to Merrifield.”

“Ah!” said Fullaway, with a start.
“According to Merrifield, eh? Now what
may that mean? To find Merrifield in this at all
was, of course, a regular shock to me!”